West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University's women's volleyball team lost in three sets to Southeast Missouri on Thursday at Houck Field House. SEMO, which is ranked near the top of the Ohio Valley Conference standings, secured the win despite Western Illinois' efforts in several extended rallies.

Keyana Cruse led Western Illinois with nine kills and 17 digs, marking her ninth match this season with double-digit digs. Kennedy Adair also contributed nine kills and six digs. Elizabeth Ziegler added seven kills and recorded a .500 hitting percentage. Freshman Ashlee Markert made her collegiate debut off the bench, recording five kills.

Defensively, Karlie Lane had 10 digs. The team's setters—Jaleah Bauss, Alysia Perez, and Madelyn Norton—combined for 28 assists during the match.

The first set was competitive with seven ties and four lead changes. Cruse and Adair helped fuel a 5–0 run that brought Western Illinois even at 20–20 before SEMO pulled ahead to win 26–24.

In the second set, SEMO applied early serving pressure but Western Illinois kept close through plays by Ziegler, Cruse, and an ace from Perez. The Redhawks finished strong to take the set.

Markert provided early momentum in the third set with multiple kills, while Adair continued to add points on offense. Despite defensive efforts from Lane and Perez, SEMO won the final set 25–18 to complete the sweep.

Western Illinois now holds a record of 7–21 overall and 4–11 in conference play. The team will face SEMO again before returning home to host the USI Eagles on November 18-19 at Western Hall.

"